A Proud History: The Great Wall Youth Orchestra (GWYO)

Founding & Legacy The Great Wall Youth Orchestra (GWYO) represents a deeply successful chapter in the Purple Silk Music Education Foundation (PSMEF) history. This initiative was conceived, funded, and fully operated by PSMEF from our organization's inception in 1998 until its recent transition. GWYO served as the primary youth ensemble, and its achievements established the foundational structure for our current Purple Silk Youth Orchestra.

PSMEF's Achievements with GWYO Every artistic, educational, and operational success of the GWYO is the exclusive history and accomplishment of PSMEF's decades of leadership and financial stewardship. Under PSMEF's comprehensive direction, the program served approximately 18,000 students and secured its status as a premier Chinese music ensemble.

Key milestones achieved while GWYO was a PSMEF program:

• Educational Hub: PSMEF established and maintained the program's vital presence at Laney College, utilizing the site for educational growth and major public performances.

• High-Profile Collaborations: We arranged performances with distinguished groups like the Oakland Symphony and secured appearances for the Golden State Warriors.

• Award Distinction: The ensemble, directed by PSMEF, earned the prestigious Best High School Orchestra in Northern California award at the 2023 Music in the Parks Festival—a historic first for a Chinese music group.

• Global Reach: PSMEF orchestrated national tours (including Washington D.C.) and executed the program's first international cultural exchange tour to China in 2024.

This verified track record provides a strong, positive basis for the Purple Silk Music Education Foundation's ongoing educational mission today.